Realistic Rules Research Articles

Emergence decision using hybrid rough sets/cellular automata

PurposeThe aim is identifying and analyzing some well‐defined types of emergence where the paper uses ideas from machine learning and artificial intelligence to provide the model of cellular automata based on rough set theory and response in simulated cars.Design/methodology/approachThis paper proposes, as practical part, a road traffic system based on two‐dimensional cellular automata combined with rough set theory to model the flow and jamming that is suitable to an urban environment.FindingsThe automaton mimics realistic traffic rules that apply in everyday experience.Research limitations/implicationsThe modeled development process in this paper involves simulated processes of evolution, learning and self‐organization.Practical implicationsRecently, the examination and modeling of vehicular traffic has become an important subject of research.Originality/valueThe main value of the model is that it provides an illustration of how simple learning processes may lead to the formation of the state machine behavior, which can give an emergent to the model.

Rotating states of self-propelling particles in two dimensions

We present particle-based simulations and a continuum theory for steady rotating flocks formed by self-propelling particles (SPPs) in two-dimensional space. Our models include realistic but simple rules for the self-propelling, drag, and interparticle interactions. Among other coherent structures, in particle-based simulations we find steady rotating flocks when the velocity of the particles lacks long-range alignment. Physical characteristics of the rotating flock are measured and discussed. We construct a phenomenological continuum model and seek steady-state solutions for a rotating flock. We show that the velocity and density profiles become simple in two limits. In the limit of weak alignment, we find that all particles move with the same speed and the density of particles vanishes near the center of the flock due to the divergence of centripetal force. In the limit of strong body force, the density of particles within the flock is uniform and the velocity of the particles close to the center of the flock becomes small.

Patch area, population density and the scaling of migration rates: the resource concentration hypothesis revisited

AbstractEmpirical research has for a long time observed that animal densities may both increase and decrease with patch size, and these variable responses have been difficult to explain using the current theoretical framework. The most influential hypothesis, the resource concentration hypothesis, predicts only positive density–area relations, as a consequence of different emigration and immigration rates in small and large patches, and empirical deviations have inspired a flurry of alternative explanations. In this paper, we use realistic rules for the relationship between patch size and migration rates and show a wider predictive range for density–area relations than previously believed. Comparisons with published data suggest that observed density–area relations may easily fit in a framework based on a minimum set of behavioural and population processes. This does not imply that other mechanisms are unimportant, but merely that their quantitative importance can only be evaluated relative to patch geometry and local growth.

Optimal Distribution Network Design Using Genetic Algorithms

In this article, a new genetic algorithm (GA) has been developed for optimal distribution network design. An attempt has been made to develop a generalized algorithm for distribution system planning. The distribution transformer station location and the size selection are evaluated together with the feeder route and size selection. The model used in the design includes the realistic rules that are derived from actual networks in Turkey. Power conservation, capacity, voltage and radiality are included in the model. The proposed algorithm has been implemented on the actual examples. The results have shown that GA methods are flexible and powerful search techniques for obtaining a better and a more realistic solution compared to classical optimization techniques.

Redefining the ME

This article focuses on new technologies and skills that change the profession as it seeks to fit a wide-open global marketplace. Mechanical engineers are actively involved in analyzing the workings of muscle, developing interfaces for artificial nerves, creating virtual reality environments, building nanomachines and medical nanodiagnostics, and even creating realistic physical rules for video games. The MIT-Wharton international vehicle program is collecting case studies from component makers to determine what types of manufacturing are best suited for overseas facilities. The institute’s preliminary findings are not surprising. A manufacturer of diesel fuel injectors that runs a highly automated plant with clean rooms and tight-tolerance production may prefer to stay close to local technologists. Biomechanics, which develops prosthetics and medical devices, is already a growing field. In the future, though, new challenges will involve the mechanical aspects of artificial bone, skin, muscle, nerves, and even organs at both the cellular and tissue levels.

Learning sensory maps with real-world stimuli in real time using a biophysically realistic learning rule

We present a real-time model of learning in the auditory cortex that is trained using real-world stimuli. The system consists of a peripheral and a central cortical network of spiking neurons. The synapses formed by peripheral neurons on the central ones are subject to synaptic plasticity. We implemented a biophysically realistic learning rule that depends on the precise temporal relation of pre- and postsynaptic action potentials. We demonstrate that this biologically realistic real-time neuronal system forms stable receptive fields that accurately reflect the spectral content of the input signals and that the size of these representations can be biased by global signals acting on the local learning mechanism. In addition, we show that this learning mechanism shows fast acquisition and is robust in the presence of large imbalances in the probability of occurrence of individual stimuli and noise.

Psychological Realism, Morality, and Chimpanzees

The parsimonious consideration of research into food sharing among chimpanzees suggests that the type of social regulation found among our closest genetic relatives can best be understood as a form of morality. Morality is here defined from a naturalistic perspective as a system in which self‐aware individuals interact through socially prescribed, psychologically realistic rules of conduct which provide these individuals with an awareness of how one ought to behave. The empirical markers of morality within chimpanzee communities and the traditional moral traits to which they correspond are (1) self‐awareness/agency; (2) calculated reciprocity/obligation; (3) moralistic aggression/blame; and (4) consolation/empathy.

BMW v Gore: Mitigating The Punitive Economics of Punitive Damages

In BMW v Gore, the Supreme Court held that a state court's award of punitive damages was so excessive that it violated the Due Process Clause. In three other recent cases, the Court had rejected due process challenges to large awards of punitive damages. Although the Court did not articulate an economic rationale, these four cases are consistent with a theory under which federal courts should intervene only when there is a high risk that punitive damages will systematically appropriate wealth from the citizens of other states. Rather than apply due process analysis directly to punitive damages awards, the Court might more usefully revise the constitutional rules regulating the exercise of long-arm jurisdiction. With clear and realistic rules allowing firms to avoid states in which juries are not adequately restrained, the mechanisms of federalism would adequately control excessive punitive damages. Gore may be an effort to approximate this result by other means.

Information and pricing in road transport: Theoretical and applied models : Emmerink, Richard H. M. Free. University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands), 1995. 265 pp.

The two main objectives of this study are: 1) to formulate theoretical models in order to analyze the economic impact of motorist information systems and road pricing and the combination of both; and, 2) to build applied models in order to investigate whether these theoretical results also hold in a more realistic context. The study thus proceeds with five intermediate goals: 1) reviews the theory on the economic impacts of motorist information systems and road pricing; 2) reviews the theory on traffic equilibria and proposing an analytical framework which enables to model the economic impacts of motorist information systems and road pricing; 3) analyzes the economic impacts of motorist information systems and road pricing under various assumptions; 4) builds a simulation with which realistic rules for driver can be implemented; and, 5) presents an empirical analysis of the impact of two simple information systems (radio traffic information and variable message sign information) on driver's behavior.

Design of face-shell bedded hollow masonry subject to concentrated loads

Many parameters affect the behaviour and failure of face-shell bedded hollow masonry subject to concentrated load. Detailed study of these parameters is needed to develop realistic design rules for this situation. The effects of loaded length and wall dimensions on capacity of the face-shell bedded hollow masonry subject to concentrated load are studied; the effect of mortar joint strength is also evaluated. The current design detail of filling some of the blocks under the concentrated load with grout is reviewed. The study was performed with a nonlinear elastoplastic finite element model that takes into account geometric and material nonlinearities as well as damage due to progressive cracking. The methodology, when combined with substructuring, allows analysis of substantially larger walls than would more typical three-dimensional analyses. The results indicate that the length of the loading plate is the significant parameter for load capacity. A possible design equation for plain hollow masonry subject to concentrated loads, concentric across the width of the wall, is provided. Adjustments could be made given the precise loading detail specified. Improvement details are explained. Key words: masonry, hollow concrete masonry, finite element modelling, cracking, failure, strength-enhancement factor, concentrated loads.

‘Space benefits’ — towards a useful framework for international cooperation

The developing countries' demand for a legal framework for international cooperation in space activities (redistribution of the ‘Space Benefits’) has recently become the focal point of discussions in the Legal Subcommittee of UNCOPUOS. In addition, it has to be expected that a third global UN space conference (Unispace) will be convened in the near future. Therefore, the so far dominant deadlock between the developing and industrialized countries should be overcome. Both sides are called upon to jettison ideological ballast and agree on a pragmatic approach for drafting realistic rules of the road for international space cooperation.

Imperfect Data Analysis

Trial planning should prevent errors, but imperfections are unavoidable. Transparency is necessary (listing and description of imperfections as well as rules to deal with imperfect data should be given in the trial report). Between purism and laxism, realistic rules are often acceptable.Decisions on data should be independent of the results: written rules, and independent and blind decisions are necessary. Intent-to-treat analysis avoids biased post hoc exclusions, but a few exceptions are acceptable in extreme cases. Sensitivity analysis enables testing the robustness of results to some decisions on data. Rules are proposed for the most frequent situations: missing data, outliers, cases of protocol violations, treatment discontinuations, poor compliance, and losses to follow-up.

Parasites, petrels and penguins: Does louse presence reflect seabird phylogeny?

The presence of parasite taxa on host taxa has long been used as a source of information about host phylogeny. The assumption underlying such analyses is that the hosts and parasites have cospeciated. In this study we used cladistic methods and component analysis to investigate whether the presence/absence of 19 phthirapteran chewing lice genera reflects the phylogeny of 18 seabird taxa. Using Faith's permutation tail probability test we demonstrated that louse presence/absence data contains significant cladistic structure, and cladistic analysis gave a single most parsimonious tree. This tree was more similar to an independent host phylogeny, based on behavioural and molecular data, than would be expected due to chance. More realistic rules for interpreting louse presence (component analysis: assumptions 0 and 1) require a knowledge of louse phylogeny. We generated an estimate of louse phylogeny via parsimony analysis of 23 morphological and life history characters. This gave 28 shortest trees. Analysis of these trees under assumption 0 generated 14 most parsimonious host trees. These host trees were more similar to the independent host phylogeny than would be expected due to chance. Assumption 1 generated a minimum of 1228 most parsimonious trees that were no more similar to the independent host phylogeny than would be expected due to chance. Bootstrap analysis found that the louse phylogeny was not robust. The failure of assumption 1 to reconstruct the host phylogeny may thus be due to errors in the inferred phylogenetie relationships of the lice. Reconciling louse and seabird trees produced 8 duplication events. This implies that much of the radiation of seabird lice predated the evolution of the seabirds.

Polestar refined: Business ethics and political economy

Although Friedman's ‘The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase Profits’ is widely read, the central argument is rarely identified. Stone's discussion of Friedman in Where the Law Ends, is often used as a companion piece. Stone claims that the most important argument in Friedman is the Polestar argument but never succeeds in explaining what it is. This paper shows that Friedman's position must be read in the context of his theory of political economy, and that at least four distinct utilitarian arguments are required to account for his views. Specifically, Friedman relies upon what I describe as Realistic Rule Utilitarianism in which utility is understood in terms of actual preferences. The weaknesses of this theory are then explained.

Learning by parallel Boltzmann machines

A parallel implementation of the Boltzmann machine in which each unit is updated independently of, but simultaneously with, the other units is studied. A transparent representation of the transition matrix and of the equilibrium distribution emphasizes the role, for the stochastic parallel evolution of the dynamical features of the underlying synchronous deterministic Hopfield model. As a consequence of this fact, the parallel Boltzmann machine explores an energy landscape quite different from the one of the sequential model. It is shown that it is, nevertheless, possible to derive, for the parallel model, a realistic learning rule having the same feature of locality as the well-known learning rule for the sequential Boltzmann machine proposed by D. Ackley et al. (1985). >

Improving Management Development Through Simulation Gaming

Business games are often more costly and require more effort to implement than traditional programmes. However they are rapidly gaining favour as management development tools. Games incorporate a case history of the relevant industry and organisation; a set of realistic rules guiding business decisions; a computerised mathematical model which simulates a dynamic market. They offer possibilities for experiential learning in strategic planning and policy making, functional integration, financial analysis and control, team planning, “what if” analysis and interpersonal behavioural training. Games allow managers to experience failure without personal or organisational consequences. Methods of administering a game are explained and the learning process discussed. Case histories of game use in the Southwest Mat Processing Corporation Headquarters, the Southern Chemical Company and educational establishments in Honolulu are described. Emerging trends are discussed.

Human Ecology, Heat Adaptation, and Belief Systems: The Hot-Cold Syndrome of Yucatan

The cultural nature of the hot-cold syndrome has been emphasized in previous studies. I suggest that the syndrome is also an important aspect of biocultural adaptation among the Maya of Yucatan, especially in prevention of heatstroke and heat cramps, because it includes physiologically realistic rules for behavior during work in a hot climate.

Management's Stake in Accounting Reform

The recent controversy over the appropriate accounting for investment credit has demonstrated that the Accounting Principles Board must have the assistance and support of the business community if realistic and workable rules for financial reporting are to be set.